Operational disruption of vehicle containing GNSS receiver

ABSTRACT

Several examples of a navigation disruption device and methods of using the same are described herein that use real-time, low-cost computation to generate conflicting/competing signals to actual Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. For example, the novel, hand-held navigation disruption devices described herein (1) generate signals from a simulated satellite constellation, wherein the signals from the simulated satellite constellation conflict/compete with signals from one or more actual satellite constellations, and (2) transmit the signals from the simulated satellite constellation(s) towards an unmanned vehicle. The signals from the simulated satellite constellation(s) cause the unmanned vehicle to compute an incorrect position, which in turn disrupts its ability to navigate and operate effectively.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/952,450, entitled “GNSS SIMULATION TODISRUPT UNMANNED VEHICLE OPERATION” and filed Nov. 19, 2020, which isassigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to generation of simulatednavigation signals and more particularly to equipment for disruptingoperational capabilities of unmanned vehicles with simulated navigationsignals.

BACKGROUND

A satellite navigation system is a system that uses satellites toprovide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. For example, a satellitenavigation system allows small electronic receivers to determine theirlocation (e.g., longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) using radiosignals transmitted along a line of sight from satellites that are partof the satellite navigation system. A satellite navigation system can beused for providing position, stabilization, navigation, or for trackingthe position of something fitted with a receiver that is compatible withthe satellite navigation system (e.g., satellite tracking).

SUMMARY

Several examples of a navigation disruption device and methods of usingthe same are described herein that use real-time, low-cost computationto generate conflicting/competing signals to actual Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) signals. For example, the novel, hand-heldnavigation disruption devices described herein (1) generate signals froma simulated satellite constellation, wherein the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation conflict/compete with signals from oneor more actual satellite constellations, and (2) transmit the signalsfrom the simulated satellite constellation towards an unmanned vehicle.The signals from the simulated satellite constellation cause theunmanned vehicle to compute an erroneous position, which in turndisrupts its ability to navigate and operate effectively.

In one example, a navigation disruption device comprises a controllerconfigured to generate signals from a simulated satellite constellation,wherein the signals from the simulated satellite constellation conflictwith signals from an actual satellite constellation. The navigationdisruption device further comprises a transmitter configured to transmitthe signals from the simulated satellite constellation towards anunmanned vehicle.

In some examples, the controller is further configured to determine aposition of the navigation disruption device and to estimate a positionof the unmanned vehicle based on at least one of the following: theposition of the navigation disruption device, a direction of theunmanned vehicle from the navigation disruption device, and an estimatedrange of the unmanned vehicle from the navigation disruption device.

In some examples, the controller is further configured to select whichsatellites of the actual satellite constellation to simulate with thesimulated satellite constellation, based at least partially on anestimated position of the unmanned vehicle.

In some examples, the navigation disruption device further comprises auser interface configured to receive, from a user, at least one of thefollowing signal generation parameters: signal transmission power,signal transmission duration, a selection of the actual satelliteconstellation to be simulated with the simulated satelliteconstellation, a desired positional offset of the unmanned vehiclerelative to an actual position of the unmanned vehicle, and a restrictedarea identified by the user. In some examples, the controller is furtherconfigured to generate the signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation, based at least partially on the received signalgeneration parameters and constellation data associated with the actualsatellite constellation. In some examples, the navigation disruptiondevice further comprises a receiver configured to receive, from theactual satellite constellation, the constellation data. In otherexamples, the navigation disruption device further comprises a storagedevice containing the constellation data.

In some examples, the controller is further configured to generatesignals from the simulated satellite constellation that prevent theunmanned vehicle from being able to approach a restricted areaidentified by the user.

In some examples, the navigation disruption device further comprises abattery configured to provide power to the navigation disruption device.

In some examples, the navigation disruption device further comprises ahousing configured to house the controller and the transmitter, thehousing having a weight and dimensions suitable for a single user tohold and operate the navigation disruption device.

In some examples, the controller is further configured to generatesignals from at least one additional simulated satellite constellation.

In another example, a navigation disruption device comprises acontroller configured to (1) select which satellites of an actualsatellite constellation to simulate with a simulated satelliteconstellation, based at least partially on an estimated position of anunmanned vehicle, and (2) generate signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation, wherein the signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation conflict with signals from the actual satelliteconstellation. The navigation disruption device further comprises a userinterface configured to receive, from a user, at least one of thefollowing signal generation parameters: signal transmission power,signal transmission duration, a selection of the actual satelliteconstellation to be simulated with the simulated satelliteconstellation, a desired positional offset of the unmanned vehiclerelative to an actual position of the unmanned vehicle, and a restrictedarea identified by the user. The navigation disruption device alsocomprises a receiver configured to receive, from the actual satelliteconstellation, constellation data associated with the actual satelliteconstellation, the controller further configured to generate the signalsfrom the simulated satellite constellation, based at least partially onthe received signal generation parameters and the constellation data.The navigation disruption device additionally comprises a transmitterconfigured to transmit the signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation towards the unmanned vehicle and a battery configured toprovide power to the navigation disruption device. The navigationdisruption device further comprises a housing configured to house thecontroller, the receiver, the transmitter, and the battery, the housinghaving a weight and dimensions suitable for a single user to hold andoperate the navigation disruption device.

In some examples, the controller is further configured to generatesignals from the simulated satellite constellation that prevent theunmanned vehicle from being able to approach a restricted areaidentified by the user.

In a further example, a method comprises generating, at a navigationdisruption device, signals from a simulated satellite constellation,wherein the signals from the simulated satellite constellation conflictwith signals from an actual satellite constellation. The method alsocomprises transmitting the signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation towards an unmanned vehicle.

In some examples, the method additionally comprises determining aposition of the navigation disruption device and estimating a positionof the unmanned vehicle based on at least one of the following: theposition of the navigation disruption device, a direction of theunmanned vehicle from the navigation disruption device, and an estimatedrange of the unmanned vehicle from the navigation disruption device.

In some examples, the method further comprises selecting whichsatellites of the actual satellite constellation to simulate with thesimulated satellite constellation, based at least partially on anestimated position of the unmanned vehicle.

In some examples, the method also comprises receiving, from a user, atleast one of the following signal generation parameters: signaltransmission power, signal transmission duration, a selection of theactual satellite constellation to be simulated with the simulatedsatellite constellation, a desired positional offset of the unmannedvehicle relative to an actual position of the unmanned vehicle, and arestricted area identified by the user. In further examples, the methodadditionally comprises generating the signals from the simulatedsatellite constellation, based at least partially on the received signalgeneration parameters and constellation data associated with the actualsatellite constellation. In still further examples, the method alsocomprises receiving, from the actual satellite constellation, theconstellation data.

In some examples, the method additionally comprises generating signalsfrom the simulated satellite constellation that prevent the unmannedvehicle from being able to approach a restricted area identified by theuser.

In some examples, the method further comprises generating signals fromat least one additional simulated satellite constellation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example navigation disruption devicethat receives constellation data from an actual satellite constellation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example navigation disruption devicethat has a storage device containing constellation data associated withan actual satellite constellation.

FIG. 3 is a side-view schematic illustration of an example navigationdisruption device having a housing that is suitable for a single user tohold and operate the navigation disruption device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view schematic illustration of an examplenavigation disruption device having a battery configured to providepower to the navigation disruption device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method in which a navigationdisruption device generates signals from a simulated satelliteconstellation and transmits the signals towards an unmanned vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is an umbrella term thatencompasses all global satellite positioning systems. This includesconstellations of satellites orbiting over the Earth's surface andcontinuously transmitting signals that enable users to determine theirposition.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is one example of a GlobalNavigation Satellite System. Specifically, GPS refers to the NAVSTARGlobal Positioning System, a constellation of satellites developed bythe United States Department of Defense. Originally, the GlobalPositioning System was developed for military use but was later madeaccessible to civilians, as well. GPS is now the most widely used GNSSin the world and provides continuous positioning and timing informationglobally, under any weather conditions.

Besides GPS, there are other satellite navigation systems, such asRussia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's BeiDouNavigation Satellite System (BDS), and the European Union's Galileo.Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a GPS satellite-basedaugmentation system to enhance GPS's accuracy, with satellite navigationindependent of GPS scheduled for 2023. India has the Indian RegionalNavigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as Navigation withIndian Constellation (NAVIC), an autonomous regional satellitenavigation system that provides accurate real-time positioning andtiming services, with plans to expand to a global version in thelong-term.

Global coverage for each system is generally achieved by a satelliteconstellation of 18-30 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites spreadbetween several orbital planes. The actual systems vary, but each systemuses orbital inclinations of >50° and orbital periods of roughly twelvehours (at an altitude of about 20,000 kilometers or 12,000 miles).

GPS systems can work in conjunction with other GNSS systems to provideprecise location positioning anywhere on Earth. However, the maindifference between GPS and other, non-GPS GNSS systems is thatGNSS-compatible equipment can use signals from navigational satellitesfrom other networks beyond the GPS system. Thus, GNSS-compatible systemscan utilize signals from a greater number of satellites, which meansincreased receiver accuracy and reliability. Although GNSS-compatiblereceivers are compatible with GPS, GPS receivers are not necessarilycompatible with other GNSS systems. As used herein, the terms “GPS” and“GNSS” are generally considered interchangeable, unless expresslyindicated otherwise.

Both GPS and GNSS systems comprise three major segments: the spacesegment (e.g., satellites), the ground segment (e.g., ground controlstations), and the user segment (e.g., GNSS or GPS receivers). In bothtypes of systems, the exact location of each satellite is known at anygiven moment since the satellites are continuously sending radio signalstoward Earth, which are picked up by GNSS or GPS receivers. The groundcontrol stations that monitor the Global Navigation Satellite Systemcontinuously track the satellites, update the positions of eachsatellite, and enable information on Earth to be transmitted to thesatellites. In some cases, the ground control stations of a particularGNSS provide access, via a network, to the current position/timinginformation for each of the satellites of the GNSS so users cancalibrate/update their GNSS receivers.

GNSS and GPS receivers are employed in a variety of fields where the useof precise, continually available position and time information isrequired, including agriculture, transportation, machine control, marinenavigation, vehicle navigation, mobile communication, and athletics.However, not all uses of GNSS/GPS are benign.

For example, the recent increase in the availability and use of unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and remote controlled model aircraft,which may utilize GNSS/GPS for navigation purposes, raises safety andsecurity concerns, both for civilians and the Department of Defense(DoD). These recreational aircraft can be co-opted for malicious intentby terrorists and criminals. A UAV can be used, either intentionally orthrough ignorance, to impede the efforts of first responders inemergency situations. They can also be used to threaten the safety ofcivilians, especially at large social gatherings (e.g. Olympics), byterrorist organizations.

Consequently, law enforcement and security organizations need tools toprohibit unauthorized UAVs from entering/approaching restricted areas.More specifically, there is a need to disable/disrupt unmanned vehicles(e.g. airborne drones), which are operated with nefarious intent, tosafeguard civilians, warfighters, and critical infrastructure.

This need to counteract the threat posed by UAVs has driven thedevelopment of navigation disruption systems in one of two directions.The first type of navigation disruption system includes hand-heldjammers that are designed to disrupt (1) command signals from thecontroller to the UAV, (2) telemetry and video signals from the UAV tothe controller, and/or (3) navigation signals from overhead satellites.Some of these hand-held jammers operate by flooding the command andnavigation frequency bands with either random or structured noise,overwhelming the UAV's receivers, so that the command and/or navigationsignals are buried in the noise so the UAV cannot detect the truesatellite navigation signals. With loss of operator control and/ornavigation, the UAV then resorts to default behavior, such as landing,hovering, or returning to its base.

The second type of navigation disruption system utilizes GPS signalreplacement, the goal of which is to take control of a UAV bybroadcasting false GPS signals configured to interfere with the UAV'snavigation. These systems use computationally expensive methods togenerate convincing pirate signals that are then used to capture andcontrol navigation of the target vehicle. These pirating methods aretypically the providence of state operators and are usually tightlyrestricted. In these pirate systems, the false GPS signal is matched tothe true signals from the GPS satellites. By providing a stronger GPSsignal to the UAV, the jamming system tricks the UAV's signal trackingloops to lock onto the set of false GPS signals. The navigation signalsare then manipulated to allow a pirate operator to gain operationalcontrol of the UAV. These pirate systems generally require large scalelaboratory equipment to effectively capture and retain remote control ofthe UAV.

The examples described herein use real-time, low cost computation togenerate a conflicting/competing signal to the actual GNSS signals. Morespecifically, the examples discussed below are generally directed to anovel, hand-held navigation disruption device that (1) generates signalsfrom a simulated satellite constellation, wherein the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation conflict/compete with signals from anactual satellite constellation, and (2) transmits the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation towards an unmanned vehicle using adirectional antenna. In other examples, the signals from the simulatedsatellite constellation may be configured to capture and controlnavigation of the target vehicle, as described above. The devicesdescribed herein can also operate without Internet connectivity orexternal power supplies, in some cases.

In describing the examples below, the terms “signals from a simulatedsatellite constellation” and “jamming signals” are used interchangeably.The term “navigation disruption”, refers to disturbing any operation ofthe unmanned vehicle that depends on the GNSS signal, not just itsself-position estimation. For instance, the unmanned vehicle may usetime from the GNSS signal, and disrupting its sense of time couldinterfere with operation as severely as disrupting its sense ofposition. Moreover, the term “unmanned vehicle” can refer to anyunmanned vehicle. For example, an unmanned vehicle could be an unmannedaerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS) such as a drone, anairplane, or a rotorcraft; an unmanned land-based vehicle such as a car,truck, tank, or armored vehicle; an unmanned watercraft such as a boator riverine craft; and an unmanned amphibious vehicle.

The receiver of the unmanned vehicle receives the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation, which were transmitted by thenavigation disruption device. The signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation present a self-consistent position that contradicts thelive sky signals transmitted from the actual satellite constellation,which causes the unmanned vehicle to compute an incorrect position,which in turn disrupts its ability to operate effectively. Morespecifically, the presence of a false signal (e.g., signals from thesimulated satellite constellation) in concert with the true signal(e.g., signals from the actual satellite constellation) is known to havevarious effects.

One effect is that the unmanned vehicle receiver locks onto both signalsand computes a noisy position estimate that is some combination of thetrue position of the unmanned vehicle and a position indicated by thefalse signal. Similarly, in instances where the unmanned vehicle has tworeceivers, each locked onto a different satellite constellation (e.g.,GPS and GLONASS), and the disruption device confuses one of thereceivers (e.g., GPS) by utilizing the signals from the simulated GPSsatellite constellation, the unmanned vehicle receiver locks onto boththe false GPS signal and the true alternate GNSS constellation signaland computes a noisy position estimate that is some combination of thetrue position of the unmanned vehicle and a position indicated by thefalse GPS signal.

Another effect is the typical jamming response, wherein the unmannedvehicle loses confidence in all signals and reports loss of navigationsignal, which causes the unmanned vehicle to operate in a GPS-deniedmode. A third effect is that the unmanned vehicle receiver drops thetrue signal and locks onto the false signal, giving the navigationdisruption device control of the unmanned vehicle's sense of position.

All of these effects are useful outcomes which disrupt the unmannedvehicle's ability to operate effectively. In this manner, the navigationdisruption device disrupts the operational capability ofhostile/undesired unmanned vehicles.

Although the different examples of navigation disruption devices andmethods of using the navigation disruption devices may be describedseparately, any of the features of any of the examples may be added to,omitted from, or combined with any other example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example navigation disruption devicethat receives constellation data from an actual satellite constellation.Navigation disruption device 102 comprises receiver 104, user interface110, controller 108, and transmitter 112. Although controller 108 andtransmitter 112 are described below as separate components, controller108 and transmitter 112 may be integrated within a single component,such as a software defined radio (SDR), in other examples.

In operation, controller 108 generates signals from a simulatedsatellite constellation, wherein the signals from the simulatedsatellite constellation conflict with signals from an actual satelliteconstellation, and transmitter 112 transmits the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation towards an unmanned vehicle to disruptthe navigational capabilities of the unmanned vehicle. The variousdetails and modifications are discussed more fully below.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , receiver 104 is a GNSS receiverconfigured to receive, via antenna 106, GNSS signals from one or moreactual satellite constellations. For the example of FIG. 1 , receiver is104 is configured to receive at least GPS signals from the GPS satelliteconstellation. However, receiver 104 may be configured to receivesignals from any one or more GNSS satellite constellations, in otherexamples.

Receiver 104 is also configured to extract, from the received GNSSsignals, constellation data associated with the one or more actualsatellite constellations. In other examples, controller 108 or aseparate processor are utilized to extract the constellation data fromthe received GNSS signals. As shown in FIG. 1 , the extractedconstellation data is provided to controller 108, via shared memory oreither a serial link or parallel bus, to use in generating the simulatedsatellite signals, which is discussed more fully below.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , user interface 110 is an interface bywhich a user of navigation disruption device 102 can (1) obtaininformation regarding the status of navigation disruption device 102,(2) detect the presence of an unmanned vehicle within the effectiverange of navigation disruption device 102, and (3) enter commands,instructions, and/or selections pertaining to the operation ofnavigation disruption device 102. For example, regarding the status ofnavigation disruption device 102, user interface 110 may be configuredto display information indicating (1) the remaining charge of a batterylocated within, or connected to, navigation disruption device 102, (2)the current operating mode of navigation disruption device 102, and/or(3) whether navigation disruption device 102 is currently transmittingjamming signals.

Regarding detection of an unmanned vehicle, user interface 110 may, insome examples, be configured to display information indicating thepresence, strength, type, and/or direction of detected radio signalsassociated with operation of an unmanned vehicle. In still furtherexamples, user interface 110 may be configured to display informationindicating an estimated range and/or direction of the unmanned vehiclefrom navigation disruption device 102.

Regarding entry of user commands/selections, user interface 110 may beconfigured, in some examples, to receive from a user one or more of thefollowing signal generation parameters: signal transmission power,signal transmission duration, a selection of the actual satelliteconstellation to be simulated with a simulated satellite constellation,a desired positional offset of the unmanned vehicle relative to anactual position of the unmanned vehicle, and a restricted areaidentified by the user. In certain examples, the signal transmissionduration is either “continuous” transmission of the jamming signal oronly when a user activates transmission (e.g., by pressing abutton/trigger on navigation disruption device 102).

In further examples, selection of the actual satellite constellation tobe simulated involves the user selecting one or more actual satelliteconstellations to simulate. As discussed above, the actual satelliteconstellation(s) to be simulated can be any suitable GNSS (e.g., GPS,GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, QZSS, and IRNSS/NAVIC). Based on which actualsatellite constellation is selected by the user, receiver 104 isconfigured to receive constellation data from the one or more selectedactual satellite constellations, in the example of FIG. 1 .

In other examples, the desired positional offset of the unmanned vehiclecan include a desired distance and/or direction of the unmanned vehiclerelative to the actual position of the unmanned vehicle. For example, auser could select, via user interface 110, that the navigationdisruption device 102 transmit signals to an unmanned vehicle to makethe unmanned vehicle believe it was located a specified distance (e.g.,50 meters) and/or direction (e.g., south) away from the actual positionof the unmanned vehicle.

In still other examples, the user may identify, via user interface 110,a restricted area. The restricted area may be identified in any suitablemanner. For example, the restricted area may be identified by GPScoordinates or by sector identifiers/grid coordinates on apre-programmed map that is accessible by controller 108 of navigationdisruption device 102. Based on the identified restricted area,controller 108 of navigation disruption device 102 will generate signalsfrom a simulated satellite constellation that, when transmitted to anunmanned vehicle, will prevent the unmanned vehicle from approachingand/or entering the restricted area identified by the user. In someexamples, controller 108 may be further configured to generate signalsfrom a simulated satellite constellation that will fool the receiver ofthe unmanned vehicle into thinking that the unmanned vehicle is movingin a different direction than it actually is.

User interface 110 may also be configured to receive, from a user, aselection of one or more types of jamming to be utilized to disruptoperation of the unmanned vehicle. For example, the user may select oneor more of the following types of jamming: jamming via GNSS simulation,jamming via noise, and jamming the command and control (C2) link of theunmanned vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1 , user interface 110 provides the one or moreselected signal generation parameters, using shared memory or acommunication link, to controller 108 to be used in generating thesimulated satellite signals, which is discussed more fully below.

Based at least partially on the signal generation parameters receivedvia user interface 110 and the constellation data associated with theone or more selected actual satellite constellations, controller 108generates signals from a simulated satellite constellation. Beforegenerating signals from the simulated satellite constellation,controller 108 may, in some examples, determine the position (e.g., GPScoordinates) of navigation disruption device 102 using the constellationdata received from the actual satellite constellation.

Controller 108 may also estimate a position of the unmanned vehiclebased on at least one of the following: the position of navigationdisruption device 102, a direction of the unmanned vehicle fromnavigation disruption device 102, and an estimated range of the unmannedvehicle from navigation disruption device 102. Various components may beincluded in navigation disruption device 102 to provide the informationrequired for controller 108 to estimate the position of the unmannedvehicle. For example, receiver 104 can provide the position ofnavigation disruption device 102, a compass can provide a direction ofthe unmanned vehicle from navigation disruption device 102, and a rangefinder can provide an estimated range of the unmanned vehicle fromnavigation disruption device 102. In other examples, a user may enter,via user interface 110, estimates for any of the parameters that areused by controller 108 in estimating a position of the unmanned vehicle.

In some examples, controller 108 selects which satellites of the actualsatellite constellation to simulate with the simulated satelliteconstellation, based at least partially on the estimated position of theunmanned vehicle. For example, a GPS receiver requires line-of-sightwith a minimum of four GPS satellites to accurately determine itsposition. However, it is more likely that a GPS receiver would haveline-of-sight with between six and eight GPS satellites, at any giventime.

Thus, controller 108 determines which satellites of the actual GPSsatellite constellation that the unmanned vehicle should be able to“see” via line-of-sight, based on the estimated position of the unmannedvehicle. More specifically, controller 108 selects a subset (e.g.,approximately 4-8 GPS satellites) of the entire actual GPS satelliteconstellation that the unmanned vehicle should be able to “see” as thesatellites to simulate with the simulated satellite constellation. Forexample, if an unmanned vehicle should only be able to “see” (e.g.,receive GPS signals from) five of the satellites of the actual GPSsatellite constellation, based on the estimated position of the unmannedvehicle, then controller 108 will select the five satellites of theactual GPS satellite constellation from which the unmanned vehicleshould be able to receive GPS signals as the satellites to simulate withthe simulated satellite constellation.

Controller 108 generates realistic signals from a simulated GPSsatellite constellation that is meant to simulate the satellites thatwere selected from the actual GPS satellite constellation. In someexamples, the signals generated by controller 108 are baseband signalsfrom the simulated GPS satellite constellation, which controller 108transfers to transmitter 112. As described above, the signals from thesimulated GPS satellite constellation conflict with signals from theactual GPS satellite constellation.

In other examples, controller 108 may be configured to generate signalsfrom at least one additional simulated satellite constellation. Forexample, controller 108 may generate signals from a simulated GPSsatellite constellation and signals from one or more additionalsimulated satellite constellations. In some cases, a user may select,via user interface 110, the additional satellite constellation(s) to besimulated. In other cases, controller 108 may select the additionalsatellite constellation(s) to simulate, based on an estimated positionof the unmanned vehicle and which satellites of the additional satelliteconstellation(s) can be “seen” by the unmanned vehicle at its estimatedposition.

Regardless of the exact composition of the signals from the simulatedsatellite constellation(s), transmitter 112 converts the signalsreceived from controller 108 to the appropriate GNSS radio frequencyband and amplifies the signals, as necessary, before transmission.Transmitter 112 transmits, via antenna 114, the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation(s) towards an unmanned vehicle todisrupt the navigational capabilities of the unmanned vehicle. In someexamples, antenna 114 is a wide-band antenna with gain optimized for theGNSS frequency bands.

In generating the signals from the simulated satellite constellation,controller 108 generates signals that are realistic enough to fool thereceiver of the unmanned vehicle and/or a simple navigation system (e.g.one without spoofing detection). Thus, although the signals from thesimulated satellite constellation do not have the complexity required tocapture the navigation system of the unmanned vehicle without detection,the signals from the simulated satellite constellation can stilleffectively disrupt operation of an unmanned vehicle.

Because the systems described herein do not hide their presence, they donot require the large, power-intensive and expensive computeinfrastructure, the sensor suite needed to estimate target position, orthe sophisticated (and often classified) algorithms needed fornavigation pirating. This is especially important for hand-held systems,which must keep processing units small, lightweight, and low power.

Although the signals from the simulated satellite constellation shouldbe realistic enough to fool the receiver of the unmanned vehicle, thesignals from the simulated satellite constellation should also conflictwith (e.g., be sufficiently different from) the signals from the actualsatellite constellation to be effective. With sufficient transmittedsignal strength, the navigation disruption devices described herein cannot only cause loss of position lock but can also fool the receiver ofthe unmanned vehicle into thinking that the unmanned vehicle is movingin a different direction than it actually is. As described above, thiscapability advantageously allows a user to encourage an unmanned vehicleto move away from and/or be prevented from entering a restricted areawithout (1) matching the simulated signals to the unmanned vehiclelocation, (2) capturing the navigation system of the unmanned vehicle,or (3) controlling the unmanned vehicle remotely.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example navigation disruption devicethat has a storage device containing constellation data associated withan actual satellite constellation. Navigation disruption device 202 ofFIG. 2 is similar in structure and function to navigation disruptiondevice 102 of FIG. 1 , except that navigation disruption device 202 hasa storage device containing constellation data associated with an actualsatellite constellation rather than a receiver to receive constellationdata from an actual satellite constellation. More specifically,navigation disruption device 202 comprises storage device 204, userinterface 110, controller 108, transmitter 112, and antenna 114.Although navigation disruption device 102 and navigation disruptiondevice 202 are shown separately in FIGS. 1 and 2 , other examples mayinclude a single navigation disruption device that has both receiver 104and storage device 204.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 , constellation data from one or moreactual satellite constellations is stored on storage device 204. Theconstellation data is loaded onto storage device 204 from an externaldata source using a wired or wireless serial communication link or awired parallel bus, for example. In some examples, storage device 204may be fixed in navigation disruption device 202, and the constellationdata is loaded through an external connection prior to use. In otherexamples, storage device 204 may be removable such that theconstellation data may be loaded onto storage device 204 by anotherdevice prior to insertion of storage device 204 into navigationdisruption device 202. Regardless of whether storage device 204 is fixedor removable, storage device 204 provides the constellation data tocontroller 108 via shared memory or either a serial link or parallelbus.

Similar to the discussion above in connection with FIG. 1 , controller108 of navigation disruption device 202 generates signals from one ormore simulated satellite constellations, based at least partially on thesignal generation parameters received via user interface 110 and theconstellation data associated with the one or more actual satelliteconstellations that are to be simulated. Transmitter 112 transmits, viaantenna 114, the signals from the simulated satellite constellation(s)towards an unmanned vehicle to disrupt the navigational capabilities ofthe unmanned vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side-view schematic illustration of an example navigationdisruption device having a housing that is suitable for a single user tohold and operate the navigation disruption device. For example,navigation disruption device 300 includes housing 302, which isconfigured to house controller 108 and transmitter 112. Housing 302 hasa weight and dimensions suitable for a single user to hold and operatenavigation disruption device 300. In some examples, housing 302 alsoincludes mounting points for a grip and/or sling to make navigationdisruption device 300 easy to handle and aim.

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view schematic illustration of a navigationdisruption device having a battery configured to provide power to thenavigation disruption device. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows navigationdisruption device 300, which includes battery compartment 304 andbattery compartment door 308. In FIG. 4 , battery compartment door 308is in an open position. Battery compartment 304 is configured to receivebattery 306, which can be any battery suitable to provide power tonavigation disruption device 300. In other examples, power may beprovided to navigation disruption device 300 through a plug connected toan external power supply, such as a vehicle power source.

FIG. 4 also shows an example of user interface 310, which is similar touser interface 110. User interface 310 can be utilized to (1) obtaininformation regarding the status of navigation disruption device 300,(2) detect the presence of an unmanned vehicle within the effectiverange of navigation disruption device 300, and/or (3) enter commands,instructions, and/or selections pertaining to the operation ofnavigation disruption device 300, in some examples.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method in which a navigationdisruption device generates signals from a simulated satelliteconstellation and transmits the signals towards an unmanned vehicle. Themethod 500 begins at step 502 with determining a position of anavigation disruption device. At step 504, the position of an unmannedvehicle is estimated. At step 506, the navigation disruption deviceselects which satellites of an actual satellite constellation tosimulate with a simulated satellite constellation, based at leastpartially on the estimated position of the unmanned vehicle. At step508, the navigation disruption device receives signal generationparameters from a user. At step 510, the navigation disruption devicereceives, from an actual satellite constellation, constellation dataassociated with the actual satellite constellation. At step 512, thenavigation disruption device generates signals from the simulatedsatellite constellation that conflict with signals from the actualsatellite constellation. The generated signals are based, at leastpartially, on the received signal generation parameters andconstellation data. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5 , the method500 may further include generating signals from the simulated satelliteconstellation that prevent the unmanned vehicle from being able toapproach a restricted area identified by the user, in some examples.Similarly, in other examples, method 500 may also include generatingsignals from at least one additional simulated satellite constellation.At step 514, the navigation disruption device transmits the signals fromthe simulated satellite constellation(s) towards an unmanned vehicle.

In other examples, one or more of the steps of method 500 may beomitted, combined, performed in parallel, or performed in a differentorder than that described herein or shown in FIG. 5 . In still furtherexamples, additional steps may be added to method 500 that are notexplicitly described in connection with the example shown in FIG. 5 .Similarly, any of the features of any of the methods described hereinmay be performed in parallel or performed in a different manner/orderthan that described or shown herein.

Clearly, other examples and modifications of the foregoing will occurreadily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of theseteachings. The above description is illustrative and not restrictive.The examples described herein are only to be limited by the followingclaims, which include all such examples and modifications when viewed inconjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings. Thescope of the foregoing should, therefore, be determined not withreference to the above description alone, but instead should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-held navigation disruption devicecomprising: a controller configured to: select one or more satellites ofan actual satellite constellation to simulate, based at least partiallyon an estimated position of a vehicle containing a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) receiver, and generate a first set of simulatedsignals that correspond with the selected one or more satellites,wherein the first set of simulated signals comprise GNSS informationthat is different than GNSS information contained in a first set ofsignals transmitted from the actual satellite constellation; atransmitter configured to transmit the first set of simulated signalstowards the vehicle; and a housing configured to house the controllerand the transmitter, the housing having a weight and dimensions suitablefor a single user to hold and operate the hand-held navigationdisruption device.
 2. The hand-held navigation disruption device ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine aposition of the hand-held navigation disruption device; and estimate aposition of the vehicle based on at least one of the following: theposition of the hand-held navigation disruption device, a direction ofthe vehicle from the hand-held navigation disruption device, and anestimated range of the vehicle from the hand-held navigation disruptiondevice.
 3. The hand-held navigation disruption device of claim 1,further comprising: a user interface configured to receive, from a user,a selection of one or more of the following types of jamming to beutilized to disrupt operation of the vehicle: jamming via GNSSsimulation, jamming via noise, jamming a command and control (C2) linkof the vehicle, jamming telemetry signals transmitted from the vehicle,and jamming video signals transmitted from the vehicle.
 4. The hand-heldnavigation disruption device of claim 1, further comprising: a userinterface configured to receive, from a user, at least one of thefollowing signal generation parameters: signal transmission power,signal transmission duration, a selection of one or more actualsatellite constellations to be simulated, a desired positional offset ofthe vehicle relative to an actual position of the vehicle, and arestricted area identified by the user.
 5. The hand-held navigationdisruption device of claim 4, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to generate the first set of simulated signals, based atleast partially on the received signal generation parameters andconstellation data associated with the actual satellite constellation.6. The hand-held navigation disruption device of claim 5, furthercomprising: a receiver configured to receive, from the actual satelliteconstellation, the constellation data.
 7. The hand-held navigationdisruption device of claim 5, further comprising: a storage devicecontaining the constellation data.
 8. The hand-held navigationdisruption device of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to generate simulated signals that prevent the vehicle frombeing able to approach a restricted area identified by the user.
 9. Thehand-held navigation disruption device of claim 1, further comprising: abattery configured to provide power to the hand-held navigationdisruption device.
 10. The hand-held navigation disruption device ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate asecond set of simulated signals, wherein the second set of simulatedsignals correspond with one or more selected satellites of a secondactual satellite constellation and comprise GNSS information that isdifferent than GNSS information contained in a second set of signalstransmitted from the second actual satellite constellation.
 11. Thehand-held navigation disruption device of claim 10, wherein thecontroller is further configured to select the second actual satelliteconstellation to be simulated, based at least partially on the estimatedposition of the unmanned vehicle.
 12. A hand-held navigation disruptiondevice comprising: a controller configured to: select one or moresatellites of an actual satellite constellation to simulate, based atleast partially on an estimated position of an unmanned vehicle, andgenerate a first set of simulated signals that correspond with theselected one or more satellites, wherein the first set of simulatedsignals comprise Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) informationthat is different than GNSS information contained in a first set ofsignals transmitted from the actual satellite constellation; a userinterface configured to receive, from a user, at least one signalgeneration parameter; a receiver configured to receive, from the actualsatellite constellation, constellation data associated with the actualsatellite constellation, the controller further configured to generatethe first set of simulated signals, based at least partially on thereceived at least one signal generation parameter and the constellationdata; a transmitter configured to transmit the first set of simulatedsignals towards the unmanned vehicle; a battery configured to providepower to the hand-held navigation disruption device; and a housingconfigured to house the controller, the receiver, the transmitter, andthe battery, the housing having a weight and dimensions suitable for asingle user to hold and operate the hand-held navigation disruptiondevice.
 13. The hand-held navigation disruption device of claim 12,wherein the controller is further configured to generate simulatedsignals that prevent the unmanned vehicle from being able to approach arestricted area identified by the user.
 14. The hand-held navigationdisruption device of claim 12, wherein the user interface is furtherconfigured to receive, from the user, a selection of one or more of thefollowing types of jamming to be utilized to disrupt operation of theunmanned vehicle: jamming via GNSS simulation, jamming via noise,jamming a command and control (C2) link of the unmanned vehicle, jammingtelemetry signals transmitted from the unmanned vehicle, and jammingvideo signals transmitted from the unmanned vehicle.
 15. A methodcomprising: selecting, at a hand-held navigation disruption device, oneor more satellites of an actual satellite constellation to simulate,based at least partially on an estimated position of an unmannedvehicle; generating, at the hand-held navigation disruption device, afirst set of simulated signals that correspond with the selected one ormore satellites, wherein the first set of simulated signals compriseGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information that is differentthan GNSS information contained in a first set of signals transmittedfrom the actual satellite constellation; and transmitting, from thehand-held navigation disruption device, the first set of simulatedsignals towards the unmanned vehicle.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: determining a position of the hand-held navigationdisruption device; and estimating a position of the unmanned vehiclebased on at least one of the following: the position of the hand-heldnavigation disruption device, a direction of the unmanned vehicle fromthe hand-held navigation disruption device, and an estimated range ofthe unmanned vehicle from the hand-held navigation disruption device.17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: receiving, from a user,a selection of one or more of the following types of jamming to beutilized to disrupt operation of the unmanned vehicle: jamming via GNSSsimulation, jamming via noise, jamming a command and control (C2) linkof the unmanned vehicle, jamming telemetry signals transmitted from theunmanned vehicle, and jamming video signals transmitted from theunmanned vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:receiving, from a user, at least one of the following signal generationparameters: signal transmission power, signal transmission duration, aselection of one or more actual satellite constellations to besimulated, a desired positional offset of the unmanned vehicle relativeto an actual position of the unmanned vehicle, and a restricted areaidentified by the user.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:generating the first set of simulated signals, based at least partiallyon the received signal generation parameters and constellation dataassociated with the actual satellite constellation.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising: receiving, from the actual satelliteconstellation, the constellation data.
 21. The method of claim 15,further comprising: generating simulated signals that prevent theunmanned vehicle from being able to approach a restricted areaidentified by the user.
 22. The method of claim 15, further comprising:generating a second set of simulated signals, wherein the second set ofsimulated signals correspond with one or more selected satellites of asecond actual satellite constellation and comprise GNSS information thatis different than GNSS information contained in a second set of signalstransmitted from the second actual satellite constellation.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising: selecting, by the hand-heldnavigation disruption device, the second actual satellite constellationto be simulated, based at least partially on the estimated position ofthe unmanned vehicle.